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“The usual place then,” she answered. Cassius only nodded as he left down the garden path that would lead out of the grounds. She turned to Callan, taking a deep breath. “I’m sorry,” she said gently. “Can we take a little walk before we go back in? I need some air.”

Callan studied her face before he slid a hand to her lower back. “Of course.” He nodded to his guards and began guiding her down a path.

“Tell me of Mikale,” she blurted suddenly, unable to help herself.

“Mikale?” Callan asked in surprise. “His father is the hand to my father, and Mikale shall be mine I suppose.”

“You do not wish that?”

“I would rather Finn or Sloan be my hand but tradition and all,” he said with a shrug.

“You will be king. You can change things if you wish,” she said, stepping closer to him for warmth. The spring weather had taken its time coming in this year, and the night air was chilly on her exposed skin. “And Lady Veda?”

“What of her?”

“What will she become?”

“A fine wife for someone, I suppose,” Callan said, tucking her in closer as they strolled.

“Not for you?”

“What is all of this about?” Callan asked, stopping and turning to face her.

“Come now, Callan. You have to know this thing between us can never be anything more.”

“I do not have to know such a thing,” Callan replied coolly.

“I am not of noble blood nor royalty. You have to realize that. You shall be required to marry—”

“I shall berequiredto do nothing,” Callan interrupted her.

“Your father would never approve of you marrying anyone less than noble, Callan.”

“Then I shall wait to marry until he is dead,” he bit back in reply.

“So you will follow the tradition of the king’s hand, but not of marriage? How absurd,” Scarlett scoffed, working to keep her voice low.

“Are you wanting a marriage proposal tonight? Or a vow to not take Mikale as my hand?” Callan asked.

“Of course not. Neither of those things,” Scarlett hissed.

“Then what has brought up such subjects?” he asked sharply.

Finn and Sloan had stepped closer, their hands casually in reach of their weapons.

“Nothing,” Scarlett answered, stepping back. “I just don’t want to be distracting you from the inevitable when you could be spending time with and building a relationship with someone more suitable.”

“You are anything but a distraction, Scarlett Monrhoe,” Callan said, stepping towards her and erasing the space she had put between them. She made to step back again, but he caught her waist and tugged her close to him. “I love you.”

“Don’t be stupid,” she replied, her eyes widening.

He laughed. “I tell you I love you and that is your response? I do not know why I am surprised.”

“You don’t mean it.”

“If you would have asked for a marriage proposal, I would have gotten onto one knee in this very spot,” he said softly and leaned in to kiss her. He lingered on her lips until Finn cleared his throat from behind them.

“Your mother is inquiring after you, Cal,” he said. “She means to dance with you.”